A doctor encountered a pregnant woman from a financially struggling family whose condition was critical, yet she was unable to afford the expensive surgery. Despite this, the doctor decided to proceed with the operation to save her and her baby. At least five department physicians resolutely assisted. Later, the doctor shared this experience on Facebook, garnering hundreds of thousands of likes and gratitude from netizens for the doctor’s dedication.
The pregnant woman was transferred to the National Taiwan University (NTU) Hospital and was referred to my clinic. After an ultrasound, we already knew the patient had a dangerous condition known as placenta accreta. (Note: Placenta accreta is where the placenta abnormally attaches to the uterine muscle layer during pregnancy. This abnormal attachment increases the risk of massive bleeding when delivering the placenta, often requiring blood transfusions. In life-threatening cases of massive bleeding, a hysterectomy may be performed.)
If synthetic hemostatic agents are used during surgery, a 5ml vial costs nearly 20,000 TWD (approximately US$615). If complications like DIC arise, even more expensive synthetic coagulation factor VII may be needed, costing 150,000 TWD (approximately US$4,614) per dose.
The pregnant woman did not have insurance
I asked the pregnant woman: “Do you have any additional medical insurance?” She replied: “We are low-income, without labor insurance, only paying for a national annuity.” After speaking, she began to cry. What can you do? A life still needs saving, and surgery must proceed, but expenses should be minimized. I once vowed to help women who suffered massive bleeding due to childbirth. Without money, we should help even more.
On the morning of the surgery, we took photos to confirm the placenta’s invasive position and then returned to the ward. The ward nurse asked me to comfort her. When I arrived, her husband sighed beside her, and she covered her head with a blanket, crying and unable to speak to me. At noon, the pregnant woman was transferred to the surgery room in the East Building, where we had the most personnel available.
Phase one: Anesthesiologists skillfully set up all life monitoring and infusion lines. Anesthesiologists are scarce in Taiwan, usually overseeing several operating rooms, but we had four senior anesthesiologists helping in our surgery room.
Phase two: The urology team assisted with a cystoscopy and inserted ureteral stents.
Phase three: It was our turn. I delivered the baby from a high position in the uterus, fortunately, without causing immediate massive bleeding. We covered the abdomen with a transparent film and quickly moved to the angiography room.
Phase four: Our skilled interventional radiology colleagues swiftly embolized the blood vessel-laden uterus. A colleague patted the surgical table and machine, saying: “This machine is retiring in a few days.” If the machine had feelings, it would be happy, having fought one last beautiful battle.
Phase five: Thanks to our colleagues’ help, we removed the blood vessel-laden uterus and completed hemostasis in 40 minutes. Blood loss was only 500 ml, less than a typical cesarean section.
Special thanks to the pediatric medical staff. The East Building lacks pediatric warming equipment, so outside the cold operating room, our senior pediatrician protected the baby with their body, quickly transferring them to an ambulance waiting to take them to a warm children’s hospital.
A little anecdote
I went outside the operating room to find the family and led them to the angiography room. As I left, the husband handed me a crumpled red envelope. I thought he must have taken a long time to gather it. I said: “At NTU, we don’t need this. I earn more than you.” I didn’t say this out of pride in my salary, but to reassure him that we don’t save lives for money.
A colleague wanted to observe the surgery, but had to deliver a baby at night and catch up on sleep at noon. She woke up and smiled, telling me she dreamed. I said: “The surgery went smoothly. It’s over; you don’t need to come.” I hadn’t started the surgery yet, but her words eased my anxious heart considerably.
I love NTU and my helpful colleagues. Although most of today’s surgery was voluntary, and we can’t claim health insurance expenses, our dear director will still support us. Because… saving lives is truly wonderful!
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